Debido a la posibilidad de condiciones climáticas severas, las oficinas del Condado de Benton estarán cerradas al público todo el día el jueves 13 de febrero de 2025.
Be prepared – winter weather conditions expected this week.
Low temperatures continue in the Willamette Valley, with temperatures as low as 19 degrees on Tuesday night. Snow and freezing rain are expected beginning Wednesday night, February 12, and continuing through Friday, February 14.
These conditions could bring an inch of snow and up to half an inch of accumulated freezing rain and ice. All community members are encouraged to prepare for icy roads and possible power outages.
Benton County recommends:
Resources
Read ODOT’s tips for driving in snow and ice.
Visit weather.gov/ for weather updates.
For road conditions, visit tripcheck.com/ or call 511.
Warming Centers
Daytime warming centers are available throughout Benton County as long as power is available. Warming centers are indoor heated facilities that are free for members of the public to access during designated hours. Many of these locations also have pet crates available.
Learn more: Hours & contact information for day-time warming centers in Benton County.
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This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
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Español
Prepárese: Se esperan condiciones climáticas invernales esta semana en el Condado de Benton
Las bajas temperaturas continúan en el valle de Willamette, con temperaturas de hasta 19 grados Fahrenheit el martes por la noche. Se espera nieve y lluvia helada a partir del miércoles por la noche el 12 de febrero, hasta el viernes 14 de febrero.
Estas condiciones podrían provocar una pulgada de nieve y hasta media pulgada de lluvia helada y hielo. Se recomienda a todos los miembros de la comunidad que se preparen para el hielo en las carreteras y los posibles cortes de energía.
El Condado de Benton recomienda:
Recursos
Lea los consejos de ODOT para conducir en nieve y hielo.
Visite weather.gov para obtener actualizaciones del clima.
Para conocer las condiciones de la carretera, visite tripcheck.com o llame al 511.
Centros de calentamiento
Hay centros de calentamiento disponibles durante el día en todo el Condado de Benton, siempre y cuando haya energía eléctrica. Los centros de calentamiento son instalaciones en interiores con calefacción, a las que el público puede ir gratis durante las horas designadas. Muchos de estos lugares también tienen disponibles jaulas para mascotas.
Obtenga más información: Horarios e información de contacto de los centros de calentamiento durante el día en el Condado de Benton.
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Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos. Por favor contacte pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Republic Services invites all residents of Benton County to bring their household hazardous waste for safe disposal and recycling.
WHEN: On Saturday, February 8, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: 110 NE Walnut Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330
FREE for residential customers with household quantities of waste (5 gallons max).
The quarterly event is a chance for residents to safely and environmentally responsibly dispose of items that can’t be tossed in the weekly trash cart. This includes:
“We are proud to partner with Benton County residents on this event to keep our community and environment clean,” said Julie Jackson, Municipal Manager for Republic Services.
Whether it is paint, electronics, pesticides, herbicides or other household chemicals, Republic Services will take these items to be safely processed, and where possible, recycled so they can be used for future products.
Items that will not be accepted at this event:
See the schedule for all 2025 recycling and household hazardous waste events for Benton County communities.
Benton County launched its Deflection Program one day ahead of the planned start date, when the first person in Benton County was offered deflection on Dec. 31, 2024. The new program provides treatment and support services as an option to the court system for qualifying County residents cited for drug possession.
Benton County’s Behavioral Health Deflection Program is designed to align with the Oregon Behavioral Health Deflection Grant Program, set up by House Bill (HB) 4002. HB 4002 awards grants to counties and tribes to fund deflection programs. According to the bill, a deflection program is a “collaborative program between law enforcement agencies and behavioral health entities… to create community-based pathways to treatment, recovery support services, housing, case management or other services.”
Planning for Benton County’s Deflection Program began in May 2024, bringing in law enforcement, the District Attorney’s Office, and social and behavioral health services.
“I appreciate the hard work of the team of professionals who have collaborated to create a program to support individuals wanting to take the first steps toward making a significant life change.” Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin
Deflection Program Coordinator Leanna Linville joined the team in December 2024. Linville brings key knowledge from her work in Marion County, where she served in a similar role.
“Through this program, we hope to empower people with substance use disorder by improving access to treatment and creating different pathways for them.” Deflection Program Coordinator Leanna Linville
Deflection isn’t just a chance to get people into treatment without delay – it also provides community supports increasing positive outcomes.
“It is an opportunity for those wanting to pursue treatment voluntarily to obtain it without the delays normally associated with the standard criminal prosecution approach. In addition to substance abuse treatment, the individual will be offered other harm reduction services to better set them up for success in their treatment journey.” Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin
House Bill 4002 provides one-time funding for the Deflection Program through June 30, 2025. Similar legislation will be a key part of Oregon’s 2025 legislative session, which began on January 21, to ensure these programs remain viable going forward.
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Republic Services has submitted supplemental information for its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to Benton County. The CUP application was received by Jan. 15, 2025, meeting the deadline required by Benton County Code.
The pre-application drafts are available online in their entirety through Munidocs. The supplemental material submitted on January 15 can be viewed and downloaded from the Benton County website. A printed copy of the application is also available for viewing in the Community Development Department on the second floor at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.
The CUP pre-application, submitted on July 19, 2024, was deemed Incomplete. In accordance with County Code 51.535(1), Republic Services had 180 days from the submission of the preapplication to submit revisions and provide additional documentation to reach Completeness. A revised application was submitted to the County on Oct. 30, 2024.
Representatives from Republic Services met with the County Planning Division in December 2024 to discuss points of clarification and additional narrative detail needed to reach Completion. Dialogue between permit applicants and the County is a standard part of the land use application process and does not occur in public meetings.
The latest application revision is now being reviewed for Completeness by County Planning Officials and an independent consultant. If it is deemed Complete, the County will provide a process timeline, public comment period, and tentative public hearing date(s) before the Benton County Planning Commission. County Code dictates that this process, including appeals, be completed within 150 days, putting the end date in June 2025.
Learn more about the land use application process on the County’s website: cd.bentoncountyor.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BC_LUAppProcess-Quasi-judicial_final_06-25-24.pdf
Benton County is pleased to announce that Jesse Ott has been officially appointed as Director of Natural Areas, Parks & Events (NAPE), effective January 2025.
Ott has served as the Interim Director of NAPE since February 2024. He joined Benton County as the Deputy Director of Natural Areas, Parks & Events in April 2021. Under his direction, NAPE manages a dozen parks and recreation sites in the County, including campgrounds, picnic areas and trails. The department is also responsible for the Fort Hoskins historic site, Crystal Lake Cemetery, Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds, and the Benton Oaks RV Park.
In addition to maintenance, conservation and preservation of natural areas and built structures, NAPE organizes several annual events and operates an outdoor education and recreation program that prioritizes rural and underserved youth and their families. The biggest event, held every summer, is the Benton County Fair & Rodeo, which set attendance records in 2024.
“Jesse Ott has the perfect combination of skills for the role of NAPE director,” says County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “He brings a deep knowledge and enthusiasm for natural resource management, demonstrated strong people management and leadership skills, and a passion for sharing what he loves by making natural areas and historic sites available and accessible to everyone in the community.”
Ott has been a daily park and trail user for most of his life, so much so that he embarked on a career in park maintenance and management. Sharing his love of outdoor recreation with his daughter helps inspire him to look for new ways to encourage young people to explore and experience the outdoors.
Ott holds a degree in Organizational Leadership from Charter Oak College in New Britain, Conn. He serves on the board of the Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas (AFRANA) and is president-elect of the Counties and Outdoors Section of the Oregon Recreation and Parks Association. He lives in Corvallis with his family.
IMAGE: NAPE Director Jesse Ott (right) with Fairgrounds Foreman Doug Covey in the Benton County Fairground Floral Courtyard.
The Benton County Assessment Department now offers an electronic filing platform (E-File) for Business Personal Property accounts in Benton County. Business owners are asked to use this online system to file their Business Property returns, as required by Oregon Revised Statute 308.290.
E-filing is fast, convenient and secure. It minimizes input errors and reduces costs for both the business owner and Benton County.
The online filing system for 2025 Business Personal Property returns will be available starting Jan. 2, 2025. Instructions will be mailed on that date to business owners who have not filed electronically before. Those who have previously filed electronically will receive instructions through email.
The deadline to file without incurring a penalty is March 15, 2025. Business Personal Property returns filed electronically will be digitally postmarked during submission. Please visit the Benton County Business Personal Property page for additional information.
Want to learn more? The Benton County Assessment Department will offer a virtual workshop for community members on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 10:00 a.m. – noon.
Residents interested in attending the workshop should send an email to the Department of Assessment, with a valid email address, through the contact webpage.
Questions? Call the Department of Assessment: 541-766-6855.
In the last episode of the year, the Benton County Public Podcast commemorates the service of Commissioner Xan Augerot, who is retiring at the end of her second term on the Benton County Board of Commissioners.
In this episode, Commissioner Augerot talks with host Dan Crall and Benton County PIO Anne Thwaits about the highlights and opportunities of eight years in office shaped by a global pandemic, major shifts in the national political climate, and the local impacts of climate change, inflation, changes in state law and more.
Listen here: rss.com/podcasts/bentonpublicpodcast/
Republic Services, parent company of Valley Landfills Inc., continues to work toward Completion on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for its Coffin Butte landfill. Company representatives met this week with planning officials from Benton County to discuss the application.
Republic first submitted the CUP application to Benton County on July 19, 2024. In reviewing it, the Planning Division of Benton County Community Development determined that more detailed technical reports and a broader spatial analysis were required to assess the existing conditions and potential impacts of landfill operations. The application was deemed Incomplete.
A revised application was submitted on Oct. 30, 2024. It contains substantial additional information, but some points still require clarification. The County and Republic Services came together in a virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to discuss additional narrative detail to support the application.
The County believes Completeness will be reached within the 180 days from initial application date that are provided by Benton County Code 51.535. See the timeline below for more information.
July 19, 2024
Republic Services submits a CUP application, starting the clock on the 180 days allowed to reach Complete status by Benton County Code 51.535. This sets the ultimate deadline for a Complete application as Jan. 15, 2025.
After submission, Benton County has 30 days to respond to the applicant.
Aug. 16, 2024
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County sends an Incompleteness Letter to Republic Services. It explains the deficiencies in the application.
Oct. 30, 2024
Republic Services submits a revised CUP that contains substantial additional information, including technical reports and analysis.
Dec. 11, 2024
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County meets with Republic Services through Zoom to discuss the application, requesting additional narrative detail about some of the exhibits submitted.
Jan. 15, 2025
Deadline for Republic Services to supply the requested information to Benton County in order to satisfy application requirements.
If the application is deemed Complete, the County will provide a timeline of the process for review, public input, and application consideration. Complete applications go before the Benton County Planning Commission — an appointed body that approves how landowners use their property and advises County officials on complex decisions.
If the application is still Incomplete on this date, Republic Services will have to start over with an entirely new application.
A Conditional Use Permit requires discretionary approval from a municipality. It is a zoning exception that allows property to be used in a way not typically permitted within the designated zone. This permit ensures that proposed developments align with the community’s zoning regulations and land use plan.
The CUP requested by Republic Services would allow the company to build additional landfill cells on land the company owns. Modern landfills are divided into multiple cells within the larger landfill property. The “working face” of the Coffin Butte landfill – the actual area where waste is being disposed – is less than ½ acre at any given time. As a cell fills it is capped, and the working face moves to a new cell.
Unrelated to the CUP application, Republic applied to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to renew an air quality permit. This permit sets a limit on the output of greenhouse gasses – like carbon dioxide and methane – that are allowed. A virtual public hearing about the proposed renewal of the Title V air permit will be held on Jan. 6, 2025 (Please note: Benton County has been informed that the public hearing is being postponed from Dec. 17, 2024, but as of this writing the DEQ website has not yet been updated to reflect the change).
Benton County will celebrate and thank Commissioner Xan Augerot next week as she retires at the conclusion of her second term in office. The community is invited to a dessert open house in her honor on Wednesday, December 18 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in the Board of Commissioners/Holmes and Shipley Room at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.
Questions or requests for accommodation should be directed to Marriah De La Vega: marriah.delavega@bentoncountyor.gov.
A lifelong Northwesterner, Augerot has lived in Oregon for more than 20 years. She worked as the Executive Director for Marys River Watershed Council and as Vice President of Wild Salmon Center (Portland, Ore.). She has degrees from the University of Washington (economics, marine policy) and Oregon State University (geography). She was the lead author on a first-of-its-kind exploration of the social, cultural, ecological and policy aspects of salmon management, The Atlas of Pacific Salmon.
Augerot ran for office because she wanted to ensure the environment was protected in the face of population growth. She was elected to the Benton County Board of Commissioners in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. She entered office focused on climate change and the need to ensure the workforce was able to serve an increasingly diverse population, but she quickly found new passions.
Her portfolio at the County has included health care and public safety; she is also very engaged in housing, climate, equity and water issues. She serves on boards for Benton Community Foundation, Community Services Consortium, Association of Oregon Counties and on the Oregon Youth Development Council.
“Commissioner Augerot exemplifies what it means to be a public servant, and not just because she is incredibly hardworking,” said County Administrator Rachel McEneny. “One of her greatest strengths is her ability and desire to really listen, to hear and understand every voice. In her time in office she has read every correspondence from community members, listened to every comment, and drawn upon every available resource to solve large and small problems for the people of Benton County.”